Sheet feeder



BAKER ET AL SHEET FEEDER May 2, 1939.

Filed Dec. 19, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS n m ru 5 V. e m E E; M m ,m w h me a Q nr. 000 968 LGL V... B

- May 2, 1939. BAKER ET AL 2,156,648

SHEET FEEDER Fi1ed Dec. 19, 1936 8 Sheet s-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Leonard Baker George A. Marrin Leo C. Wflhams L. BAKER El AL 2,156,648

SHEET FEEDER 7 Filed Dec. 19, 1956 May 2, 1939.

8 Sheds-Sheet 4 I 74 L INVENTORS 77 77 eonard Baker 3 George A.'Marfln 81 I E Leo C. WiHiams .May 2, 1939.

L. BAKER El" AL SHEET FEEDER F'iled Dec.

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 JNVENTORS Leonard Baker George AMarT'm BY Leo C. Wflhams ATTORNEY L. BAKER ET AL 2,156,648

SHEET FEEDER Filed Dec. 19, 1936 8- Sheets-v-Sheet 6 May Z, 1939.

8 Rrm m .m flm E N aa N MH m W IT J A ZM wwc mwo Gee LGL

Melly-2, 1939. L. BAKER ET AL.

v SHEET FEEDER Filed Dec. 19, '1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 llllllll' II II NJ S. n ER s Y 0 T w m M N a R M mMn m T I (A me mm 000 eee LGL M y 2, 1939- BAKER ET AL 2,156,643

SHEET 'FEEDER Filed Dec. 19, 1936 s SheeCs-Shet s w Fig). 23

INVENTORS Leonard Baker George A. Marrm Leo C. \Nmiams BY Mm A TT ORNE Y Patented May 2 1939 SHEET FEEDER Leonard Baker, Hilladale, N. J., and George A. Martin and Leo C. Williams, Pearl River, N. Y., assignors to Dexter Folder Company, New York, N. Y., atcorporation of New York Application December 19, 1936, Serial No. 116,692

(Cl. 271-31) 7 Y 39 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet feeders and while. capable of general use is particularly adapted'for embodiment in feeders for feeding sheets of tin, black iron-aluminum and the like, 5 to printing presses, punch presses, coating and varnishing machines, shears and slitters, bufling and cleaning machines, and various other instrumentalities employed in the processing or making of metal articles or containers.

One object of the present invention is to provide an'improved method of separating and feeding metal or other relatively heavy sheets from a pile or supply thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeder of novel, simple, and durable construction that will rapidly and efficiently feed sheets of metal to various types of equipment such as mentioned above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeder having a relatively small number of parts novelly constructed, co-

ordinated and operated to insure efficiency, low' manufacturing, installation and maintenance provide a feeder having as many of the operating parts as possible actuated or controlled by vacuum or air so that various expensive and complicated mechanical devices heretofore employed are eliminated and a more efficient, compact and economical feeder is produced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeder having improved sheet separating devices angularly arranged in such manner that they positively separate 'metal sheets singly in succession from a pile 'or supply and prevent them from sliding relatively and mar-ring or scratching each other.

Another object of the present invention is to arately operating the elevator to loadit.

provide a feeder having improved means for sepprovide a feeder having sheet separating and.

forwarding devices arranged as units independefitly movable to operative and inoperative positions so that sheets may be'fed automatically or by hand from a pile or supply thereof as desired.

Another object of the present invention. is to provide a feeder having pile lifting means and control means therefor which can be employed to automatically elevate the pile or supply of sheets either when automatically or hand feeding the same from said pile or supply.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeder having automatically operated pile, elevating means andcontrol means therefor that may be actuated by 'the pile to elevate it when hand feeding or may be moved to the inoperative position of certain of the-pneumatic units and there manually actuated to control automatic elevation of the pile during such feeding.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeder having drop rollers automatically operated toward and away fromthe feed rollers either when automatically feeding sheets from a pile or a supply 'or when hand feeding them therefrom and which rollers, during hand feeding, may be employed to actuate stops or gages against which the sheets are hand fed .preparatory to operation of. the feed and drop rollers upon said sheets.

These and other objects of the present. inven- Another object of the present invention is to understand said invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 isa side elevation of a feederembodying the present invention and particularly adapted for feeding metal sheets:

Figs. 2 and 3 are front and rear elevations respectively of the feeder shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the feeder shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the sheet separating and forwardingdevices and the control means for the pile elevating mechanism appearing in their lowered operative positions for automatic feeding; a

Fig. 5 is a view similar to. Fig. 4, the sheet separating and forwarding devices being shown in their raised. inoperative positions for hand feeding and the control means for the pile elevating mechanism being shown in different operative positions for such feeding as indicated by v full and dotted lines;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of one of the pneumatic sheet forwarding devices; v

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, of one of the pneumatic sheet separating devices and supporting means therefor; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the supporting means illustrated in Fig. '7, showing diagrammatically different positions of adjustment of said means and the pneumatic sheet separating device carried thereby;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged rear elevation of improved valve mechanism embodying the present invention, certain parts ofsaid mechanism being separated for purposes of clearer illustration;

Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive are side elevations showing diagrammatically different positions occupied by parts of the valve mechanism during one cycle of operation thereof;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 9 on a smaller scale, showing the parts-of the valve mechanism in engaged, operative relation;

Fig. 16 is an elevation of one side of a ported casting forming. part-of the valve mechanism illustrated in.Figs..9 and 15;

Fig. 17 is an elevation of the opposite side of "said casting;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the vacuum valve shown in Figs. 9 to 15, and Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional view of said valve;

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the vacuum valve driving disc shown in Figs. 9 and 15, and Fig. 21 is a horizontal sectional view of said disc;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the air valve shown in Figs. 9 and 15, and Fig. 23 is a horizontal sectional view of'said valve;

Fig. 28 is a top plan view of the valve supporting bracket shown in Fig. 26;

Fig. 29 is a view similarto Fig. 2'7 of another pneumatic control means embodying the present invention; and v a Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29 of another pneumatic control means embodying the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like refer-. ence characters designate like parts throughout the several views, the various movable parts of the feeder as well as certain stationary parts thereof may be mounted on a frame of any suitable' construction and the movable parts may be actuated or driven byany suitable means. As herein shown, said frame and driving means are preferably constructed as follows.

The feeder frame is comprised by frontuprights 5 and rear uprights 6 connected together by side members I and 8 (Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive). The uprights 5 and 6 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the 'machine foundation, the front uprights 5 being connected together by cross members 9 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, and the rear uprights 6 being connected together at the tops thereof by a stay shaft ill. The cross members 9 have bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto a metal apron or plate ll against which the front side of a supply or pile of metal or other sheets l2 bears durbolted or otherwise suitably secured on a gear guard ii that is likewise secured on one of the front uprights 5.

Fixed on the upper end of jack shaft I3 is a bevel gear 15 which meshes with a similar gear l6 fixed on a short shaft l1 journalled in suitable.

bearings in the gear guard I4 and the adjacent front upright 5. Disposed within the gear guard l4 and fixed on the short shaft I1 is a' spur pinion IB which meshes with a spur gear l9 also disposed within said guard and fixed on a cam shaft 29' projecting therein. This cam shaft 20 is journalled in suitable bearings in the front uprights 5 and also has a bearing in the gear guard I through which it projects into said guard to receive the gear I9. The cam shaft 29 is utilized to operate various parts of the feeder to be hereinafter described. The feeder includes a pile elevator and operating mechanism therefor preferably constructed as follows.

The short shaft n has fixed thereon a crankdisc 2| pivotally connected with one end of a link 22 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with a pawl carrier 23 that is loosely mounted on a shaft 24 (Figs. 2, 26 and 2'7). This shaft 24 extends transversely of the feeder and is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 25 (Figs. 1 and 4) that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front uprights 5 at the upper ,'ends thereof. The shaft 24 is operated at suitable intervals to raise the pile elevator herein.- after described and said operation of said shaft is preferably effected by pawl and ratchet mechanism of the general type disclosed in the appli' cation Serial No. 33,002 of Leonard Baker filed July 25,1935. This pawl and ratchet mechanism includes a pawl carrier such as indicated at 23 (Figs. 2, 26 and.2'7) having a pawl 26 pivoted thereon at 21 and adapted, under certain conditions, to engage a ratchet 28 fixed on the shaft 24. It will thus appear that through oscillation of the pawl carrier 23 by the described driving connections therefor with the jack shaft I3 and engagement of the oscillating pawl 26 with the ratchet 29, the shaft 24 will be intermittently rotated. Under these conditions right and left hand worms 29 (Fig. 2) fixed on shaft 24 will likewise be rotated. These worms 29 mesh with right and left hand worm gears 30 that are fixed on shafts 3| (Figs. 1 and 4) journalled in suitable bearings provided by the brackets 25 on the front uprights 5 and 25' on the rear uprights 8. Fixed on shafts 3| are toothed sheaves 32 in the teeth of which are engaged links of chains 33 so that when the shafts 3| are rotated in the proper direction by the described driving means therefor, said chains will be raised and thus raise an elevator comprising cross beams 34 to which the lower ends of said chains are secured as by suitable oouplings .or connections 35. The elevator 34 has placed thereon a pile board 36 which, together with the pile of metal or other sheets I2, is positioned on said elevator through the rear of the feeder when the elevator is lowered by means for this purpose hereinafter described.

7 a conduit 58 in w ,means hereinafter described, and to keep the top of said pile at a predetermined level for the operation of said means the elevator and its operatingmechanism are, in accordance with the present invention, controlled by pneumatic means preferably mounted, constructed and operated as follows. I

' Bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the side members I, 8 are brackets 31 ,to which'are pivoted, as at 38, a frame indicated broadly at 39 (Figs. 1 to 5). This frame 89 comprises side members 40 and a rear cross member II. This cross member 4| is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to brackets 42 slidably mounted on the side members 40. The cross member 8| and parts carried thereby are therefore adjustable forwardly and rearwardly along said side membersand may be secured in any desired position of adjustment thereon by thumb screws 43 or thelike.

During automatic feeding of sheets from the top of pile l2, in a manner hereinafter described,

tioned as shown more clearly in Fig. 4 wherein it will be. noted that the rear of said frame is supported by pins 44 secured on the rear uprights 6.

When sheets are being hand fed from the top of the pile the frame 39 and parts carried thereby are swung upward and positioned as more clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings where they are held against accidental displacement by a pin 85 removably secured in a suitable opening in one of the brackets 31. This pin 85 is secured to one end 01' a small chain 46 the opposite end of which is connected in any suitable manner to the side member 8.

cross shafts 41 '(Fig. 2). 'I'hese---cross shafts 81 have bolted or otherwise suitably secured therete brackets 48 which, in turn, have bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. an electriesniotor 48 connected with a suitable source of current and controlled for starting, stopping and reversing purposes by suitable switch means (not shown);

Fixed on the armature shaft 50 of motor 48 is a sprocket ll around which passes a chain 52 that also passes around a sprocket 88 that isflxed on the shaft 88 of a pump 55 suitably constructed to supply air under pressure from one part thereof and to create vacuum in another part thereof.. This air and vacuum pump 88 is bolted or other'- wise suitably secured above and to one "side of the motor 49 on brackets 56 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured ono'ne of thecross shafts 41 and a third cross shaft 51 located there-- above and secured in any suitable manner on the front uprights 6. Con nected with the exhaust or air pressure sideor art of pump 55 is one end of h is located a valve 58 for controlling the pressure of air delivered from the pump through said conduit to the parts hereinafter described and connected therewith. The opposite end of this conduit 58 is connected with a compressed air tank 60. A block ti (Fig. 1)

the frame 39 and parts carried thereby are posi- I valve housing As before stated, pneumatic means are emplayed to control the operation of the elevator and tion of tank 80 and said and said block are clamped against the pile guiding plate II by a strap 82 Passing around the tank and having its lower end secured to said plate. The upper end of the strap 82 is adjustably secured, as by an adjusting bolt 88 thereon, to a bracket 88 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upper cross member 9. t a

The compressed air tank has connected, I

of the feeder that will be later described. The

vacuumconduit 69 has connected therewith one end of a conduit H the opposite end of which is connected with the vacuum side or part of the pump 55. The conduit II has disposed therein adjacent the pump 55 a vacuum regulating valve 12 of any suitable construction.

Air under pressure will, through the described connections between pump 55 and tank 60, be

- continuously maintained in the latter and in the conduits 68 and 88. The conduit 68 has connected therewith one end of a flexible conduit 18 the opposite end of which is connected with a 14 (Figs. 3 to 5 and '26). valve housing H is removably and adjustably mounted in a bracket 15 (Figs. 26 and 28) secured.

to, and adjustable along, the rear cross bar ll of the frame 89 as by a thumb screw 18 orthe like. 7 This bracket 18 is providedon the front thereof with a-pair of clamps 11 one of which is secured to the bracket by a machine screw 18. The other clamp is secured to bracket 15 by an adjusting screw 19 provided with a handle 80. The valve or tightened to provide for vertical adjustment of the valve housing I4 and mounting and removal This of the same on and from the bracket (5 respec-.;

tively. as desired.

\ Slldably mountedin the housing I4 is a valve through the housing and is provided on the lower end with a socket 88 in which is freely mounted a ball 84 that rests on the top of the pile of. sheets ll. The valve 82 is provided with a reduced portion}! and the valve housing 18 is-provided in the bore thereof with a chamber 86. When the top of the pile of sheets i2 is at proper height the valve 82 through engagement of ball 84 with the pile will be positioned as shown in Fig. 26 wherein it will be noted that the reduced portion 88 of the valve is disposed slightly above chamber 86 sothat air under pressure supplied in the valve housing and around the reduced portion of the valve by conduit 18 cannot reach the chamber 88.

As sheets are fed one after another from the top ofthe pile, and withthe ball 84 engaged therewith, the valve 82 wilhiower by gravity so that when a sufficient. number of sheets have will extend or drop into the chamber 86 thus establishing communication between the latter and the conduit 13. Under these conditions, ,air'

under pressure will be delivered into a conduit 81 having one and connected with the chamber 88 and the opposite end connected with a plunger housing 88 (Figs. 26 and 2'1). This housing 88 has a cover plate 89 bolted or otherwise suit-r ably secured thereto and provided by an arm a lift the plunger and the stem so that the latter is removed from the path of travel of a shoulder 98 formed on a pawl mask 91 freely mounted on, and slidable along, the shaft 28.

When air under pressure is admitted inconduit 81, however, as previously described, said air enters the plunger housing 88 and'exerts downward pressure on the plunger 98, thus forcing the stem 98 downwardly into the path of the shoulder 98 on the pawl mask 91 as clearly shown in Fig. 27. This pawl mask is connected with the oscillating pawl carrier 23 by means of a pin 98 on the latter and a spring 99 having one end connected with said pin and the opposite end connected with the pawl mask 91 as by a machine screw I88.

Under operating conditions and when the pile elevator is at rest, the spring 99 holds a pin IN on mask 91 in engagement with the pin 98 on the oscillating pawl carrier 23 and said carrier and mask are rotated together and the latter holds the pawl 28 out of engagement with the ratchet '28. When the mask 91 is stopped through engagement of plunger stem 93 with shoulder 98 as previously described, the pawl 28 through continued oscillation of the pawl carrier 23 will ride of! a highpart of the mask on to a low part'thereof and engage the ratchet 28. mittently by the pawl and ratchet mechanism, and through the described connections for said shaft with the elevator, the latter and the pile of sheets will be raised until the top of the pile is at the proper height.

As the pile thus raises, the valve 82 is lifted,-

thus raising the reduced part 88 out of the chamber 88 and disconnecting the source of air under pressure from the plunger housing 88. The spring 98 then lifts the plunger 98 and stem 93 so that the latter is disengaged from shoulder 98 on the mask 91. The spring 99, which enables continued oscillation of the pawl carrier when the mask is stopped, now acts on the mask to turn the latter and engage the pins 98 and III. under the pawl 28 to lift the latter out of engagement with the ratchet 28, and the pawl and its carrier, together with the mask, again oscillate idly until further elevation of the pile is necessary at which time said pile will again be elevated as previously described.

The sheets of pile I2 are separated one after another at the rear by separating devices located adjacent the rear corners of the pile and actuated in one direction by vacuum or suction and in the opposite direction by vacuum or suction assisted, if desired, by spring means. These The shaft 28 will thus be actuated inter-- The high part of the mask is thus brought separating devices, indicated broadly at I82 in Figs. 1, 3, 7 and 8, are identical as respects their mounting, construction and operation and a description of 'one of said devices will therefore be sufficient for both of the same. Each separating device I82 is mounted on a bracket I88 (Figs. 7 and 8) engaged over the rear cross bar 8| of the pivoted frame 39 and held against displacement therefrom by a bottom plate I88 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said bracket. Each bracket I83 and the separator. I82 carried thereby is adjustable along the .bar 8| so that the separators I82 may be moved toward and away from each other in accordance with various sizes of sheets being handled and to locate said devices at the desired points with reference to their operation upon rear corner portions of the sheets at the top of the pile.

Each bracket I83 is. secured in the desired position of adjustment thereof by a set screw I88 (Fig. 3) and carries a stud I88 (Figs. 7 and 8) on which is pivotally mounted a bell crank lever indicated broadly at I81. One arm I88 of this bell crank lever is parallel with the bar H and provided with an arcuate slot I89 through which extends a lock screw II8 carried by the bracket I88 and threaded in a suitable opening therein. The other arm II I of the bell crank I81 is inclined upwardly and forwardly from the arm I88 and the bracket I88 and is provided longitudinally with a vertical slot II2. Extending through the slot II2 of arm III are adjusting and locking bolts 3 that also extend through suitable openings in a washer H8 and through suitable openings in an ear H8 that is secured to or formed integrally with a cylinder II8.

This cylinder H8, through mounting of the same on the arm III, is inclined upwardly and forwardly from the top of the pile of sheets I2 and toward the front of the feeder and when the bell crank lever I81 and cylinder II8 are moved to the inclined dotted line positions thereof shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings the cylinder is inclined transversely of the feeder upwardly and inwardly from the top of the pile I2. In other words, each cylinder I I8 and the parts carried thereby are inclined upwardly and forwardly in the direction of feed of the sheets from the pile I2, and both cylinders are disposed in angular relation as shown in Fig. 3 transversely of said direction so that they extend upwardly and inwardly toward each other from the top of said pile. Angular adjustment of the cylinders H8 and parts carried thereby relative to each other transversely of the direction of feed of sheets from the feeder may be effected by swinging the bell cranks I81 and locking them in desired positions of adjustment by the locking screws H8. The upward and forward inclination of the cylinders H8 and parts carried thereby is preferably maintained constant by the angular bell crank arms III and slots H2 and bolts N8 of which, however, provide for vertical adjustment of the cylinders H8 and said parts, as desired.

,Each cylinder H8 is closed at its opposite ends by caps 1 held in position by machine screws H8 or the like. Each cylinder H8 is provided longitudinally thereof with a chamber N9 the II3 a piston the rod or stem of which is com-, prised by a relatively large thin walled tube I22 open at both ends and projecting through said cap downwardly beyond the same. Fixed on the lower projecting end of tube I22 exterihrlyof cylinder 6' is a rubber suction cup I23 provided with a duct in communication with said cup and said tube through the lower open end of the latter, The upper end of tube I22 is provided with a relatively'thin piston head I24 and skirt I25. The diameter of tube I22 is preferably not less than approximately three quarters of an inch so that when vacuum or suction is applied on the under side of head I24 to lower tube I22 and engage cup 423 with the top sheet of the ile, a vacuum or suction effect is created on th. upper side of the piston head I24 sufllcient to lift the piston and a metal or other relatively heavy sheet engaged by vacuum with the cup I23.

Surrounding the relatively large, thin walled thereof as said head is of adequate size and strength for this purpose. In order to prevent the piston head I24 from becoming air-bound at the top of the cylinder I I6, the piston tube I22 extends slightly above said head, as at I2I,-and is provided with slots I28 or the like. t

The upper ends of the chambers II9 of cylinders II6 have connected therewith corresponding ends of flexible conduits I29 the opposite ends of which are connected with a conduit I30 formed in a stationary valve body I3I mounted centrally of the machine'on the tubular shaft 66 and secured thereto in any suitable manner (Figs. 2 to This valve body I3I forms part of the valve-mechanism III that controls the making and breaking of vacuum in the sheet separators I02 in a manner hereinafter described.

Before the pistons of separators I02 are actuated to engage and lift the rear corners of the top sheet of the pile, the rear corners of the pile are winded by compressed air that is blown through the vertically disposed elongated nozzles I32 of blow pipesl33 (Figs. 1 and 3). blow pipes I33 are loosely mounted in suitable openings of bosses I 34formed on the brackets I03 and said pipes are therefore adjustable transversely of the feeder at the rear thereof with said brackets and the sheet. separating devices I02. Blow pipes I33 are provided on the tops thereof above the brackets I03 with locking and adjustingdvices I35 by means of which the pipes may be adjusted vertically to desired positions for action on. the upper rear corner portions of the pile of sheets I2. ,In order to maintain the blow pipes I33 in the desired positions oi adjustment, they have mounted thereon besheets I2 are winded to provide preliminary separation of the sheets. This occurs once during each cycle of operation of the feeder and prior to and during a portion ofthe time when the sheet separating devices I02 engage and lift the These top sheet. from the pile. -Winding of the rear corners of the pile, as aforesaid, is preferably effected by means constructed and operated as follows. 1

The upper ends of the blow pipes I33 have con nected therewith corresponding ends of flexible conduits I38 the opposite ends of which are connected with angularly related tubular arms I39 of a tubular fitting I40 (Figs. 9 and.1'7) closed at its outer end and having an inner open end secured in and communicating with a conduit I4I formed in the valve body I3I.

through one side thereof. Spaced from! the port I42 is another port I43 formed in the valve body I3I and opening'outwardly through the same side thereof as the port I42. This port I43 communicates with a conduit I44 formed in the .valve body and communicating with the air conduit 6B of the tubular shaft 66. This conduit 68 and the conduit I44 are continuously supplied with compressed air from.the-tank 60 (Fig. -2)

This conduit I4I communicates with a port I42 formed inthe valve body and opening outwardly therefrom by the conduit 65 thatjconriects said tank with the conduit 68. Delivery of compressed air at the required predetermined intervals to the blow pipes I33 is effected by a rotaryvalve: I45 (Figs. 9, 15, 22 and 23) that is loosely mounted on the cam shaft 20 which extends loosely through the valve body I3I. This valve I45 is provided with pockets I46 for the inner ends of springs I41 and with a pocket I48 .for the inner end of a. pin I49. The

pin I49 is fixed on a valve driving disc I50 (Figs.

24 and provided with pockets I5I for the outer endsof springs I4I. This valve driving disc I50 is fixed on cam shaft 20 inany suitable manner and said disc and the valve I45 are maintained closely against each other and the ad- -jacent side of valve housing I3I respectively, by a collar I52 secured, as by. a machine screw I53, 3

' connections therefor with cam shaft 20 is rotated continuouslyby the latter and once during'each cycle of operation of the feeder the port I54 passes .over the ports I 42, I43 of valve body I3I (Fig. 10). This establishes communication between conduits I44, I4I (Fig. 17) and throughthe described connections for the conduit I4I with the blow pipes, I33 compressed. air is delivered'through said pipes and their nozzles I32 against the upper rear corner portions of the pile of sheets I2 to partially separate the top sheets so that the separators I02 can more readily pick up the uppermost sheet. When, through continued rotation of the valve I45, the port I54 has passed over the port I43 and no longer com- 'municates therewith, the air under pressure is prevented from entering the blow pipes I33 until the valve, in the next cycle of operation of the feeder, again rotates to bring port I54 into communication with ports I42, I 43.

While the upper rear corner portions of the pile are being winded as. just described, the sheet separators I02 act to engage the top sheet of the 1y pointed out, are vacuum operated and the means for effecting such operation of said devices is preferably constructed and operated as follows. Said means includes the flexible conduits I29 which are connected with the conduit I30 of valve body I3I by a tubular fitting I55 (Figs. 9 and 16) provided with angularly related tubular extensions I56 towhich corresponding ends of the conduits I29 are attached. The conduit I30 communicates with a port I51 opening outwardly through the side of the valve body I3I opposite that having the previously described air ports I42, I43. Spaced from the port I51 and opening outwardly through the same side of the valve body as said port, is another port I56 which communicates with a conduit I59 formed in the valve body I3| and communicating with the vacuum conduit 69 of the tubular shaft 66. The conduit 69, as previously described, is connected with the vacuum side or part of ,pump 56 by the conduit 1I (Fig.2). I

Making and breaking of vacuum in the sheet separating devices I02 is controlled by an arcuate shaped port I60 formed in a rotary valve I6I (Figs. 9, 15, 18 and 19). This valve is loosely mounted on cam shaft 20 at the side of valve body I3I that has the ports I51, I56 there in. Valve I6I is provided in the outer face thereof with pockets I62 for springs I63 and with a pocket I64 for a pin I65. Pin I65 forms a driving connection for valve I6I with a driving disc I 66 which carries said pin (Figs; 9, 15, 20 and 21) This driving disc I66 is keyed or otherwise suitably secured on cam shaft 20. Driving disc I66 and valve I6I are maintained closely engaged with eachother and with the valve body I3I respectively by a collar I61 which is rigidly securedto cam shaft 20, as by a machine screw I66. The

driving disc I66 is provided with pockets I69 for the springs I63 and these springs, as well as the springs I41,v are maintainedunder compression 'by the collars I52, I61 and thereby hold the valves permost position through expansion of said springs and action of thesame against the piston heads I24. As thevalve I6I is rotated, port I60 passes over the ports I51, I56 thus connecting the conduits I30, I59, 69 and I29 with the vac-' uum side of pump. 55 and the vacuum chambers II 9 of cylinders II6. Vacuum is thus created I in said cylinders through the lowermost ports I2I thereof and acting on the under side of the piston heads I24 draws said heads, the tubes I22 and the cups I23 downwardly and outwardly until heads I24 and said heads. the tubes 2. the cups,

I23, and the rear corner portions of the sheet engaged by vacuum with said cups are lifted upwardly and inwardly by vacuum regardless of the strength of the springs I26. This separates the top sheet from the one thereunder and since the cylinders I16 and parts carried thereby are in-' clined upwardlyv and inwardly toward each other as previously described, the rear corner portions I of the sheet are lifted and bent upwardly and inwardly toward each other. I Due to the upward and forward inclinations of the sheet separating devices, said corner portions are also bent toward the front of the pile and a forward pushing action is exerted on the sheet so that it is held against the apron or plate II and prevented from moving rearwardly and scratching or marring the 15 next sheet below. Through the described inclinations of the sheet separating devices and resulting action thereof on the sheets as described,

complished by means constructed and operated as follows and including blow pipes I10 provided with nozzles I1I located at the top and rear of the pile (Figs. 3 and 4).- These blow pipes I10 are adjustably mounted in suitable openings of bosses 112 formed in the'brackets ms, and said pipes are adjustably held in position in said bosses, as by machine screws I13 or the like.

The upper ends of the blow, pipes I10 have connect'ed therewith corresponding ends of flexible conduits I14 the opposite} lends of which are connected with angularly related tubular extensions I15 of a tubular fitting "I 16 (Figs. 9 and 1'1 that is closed at its outer end. The inner end of fitting I16 is open and secured in the end of a conduit I11 formed in the valve body I3I. This conduit communicates with a port I16 opening outwardly through the side of the valve body I3I in which the air ports I42, I43 are formed. Spaced from the port I16 is another port I16 which opens outwardly through the same side of valve body I3I. The ports I16, I19 are disposed substantially degrees apart from the ports I42, I43 and'the'port I19 communicates with the conduit I44 the end of which terminates in the port I43. The-.conduit I44 through the previously described connections therefor with the tank 60 is continuously supplied with compressed air from the latter, and while the ports I42, I43 are covered by the port I54 of valve I45 (Fig. 10) to supply air to the blow pipes I33 as previously described, the port I19 is closed by the valve I45 so that the air can pass through conduit I44 to the port I43.

After the upper rear corners of the pile have been winded, and the top sheet of the pile has been separated and lifted, as previously described, the port I54, through continued rotation of valve I45 passes over the ports I18, I19 (Fig. 12) so that air under pressure is delivered from V the pump 55 to the port I19 by the described means for this purpose. The compressed air then passes through the ports I19, I54, I10, the conduit I11, and described connections therefor with the. blow pipes 110. The compressed air is thus delivered through the blow pipes I10 and nozzles In between the separated, lifted and stiffened uppermost sheet. and the one therebelow so that said uppermost sheet is completely lifted sponding ends of flexible conduits'I93 (Figs.

from the pile by the compressed air and without sagging of the front edge of the sheet.

When the separated and lifted sheet has been. winded it is forwarded from the pile by forwarding devices that are indicated broadly at, I80 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6). These forwarding devices are oscillated and have sheet engaging and releasing means which, when the forwarding devices are; swung rearwardly, are moved by vacuum into engagement with the separated sheet on the top of the pile and then lifted by vacuum to raise the sheet and hold it up during forward movement of the sheet by said device to feed and drop rollers hereinafter described.

The sheet forwarding devices I 80 are located at the front of the feeder, are identical in construction with the previously described sheet separating devices I02, and have the same reference characters, except that in the case of the parts of the sheet forwarding devices the reference characters are primed. .A detail description of the sheet forwarding devices is, under these circumstances, therefore unnecessary.

The'sheet forwarding devices I80 are preferably mounted and operated as follows: Journalled in suitable bearings in the brackets 31 and extend.- ing transversely of the feeder is a rock shaft I8I (Figs. 2, 3, and 6 Keyed to said rock shaft, as at I82, andslidable along the same to various positions of adjustment are arms I83 provided shaft I8I and the sheet forwarding devices I80 carried thereby through'the medium of an arm I85 (Figs. 3 and 4) that is spring operated in one direction. This arm I85 is preferably secured to the rock shaft I8I by a machine screw I88 which engages in a recess I 81 formed in said shaft, so that by loosening said screw the shaft I8I, the arms I83 and the sheet forwarding devices I80- may be swung up to their inoperative positions shown in Fig. 5 in order to facilitate feeding of the sheets by hand from the top of the pile, if so desired. 4

Connected with the lower end of the arm I85 is one extremity of a spring I88 the opposite extremity of which is connectedat I89 with the adjacent side member 8 of the feeder frame. The

arm I85 has pivotally connected therewith one end of cam strap I90 through an opening in the opposite end of which the cam shaft 20 extends. Journalled in any suitable manner on' the'last named end of cam strap- I90 is a roller I9I which engages a cam I92 that is fixed on shaft 20 and rotated thereby. It will thus appear that as shaft 20 is rotated, the cam I92 and the spring I88 will rock the arm I85 and the shaft m and thus ders -I I8 at the upper ends thereof are correto said cups.

and 6) the opposite ends of which are connected with angularly related tubular extensions I94 of a tubular fitting I95 that is closedat its outer end (Figs. 9 and 16 This fitting I95 is open at its inner end and secured in the adjacent end of a conduit I98 formed in the valve body I3I. The conduit I96 communicates with a port I97 opening outwardly through said valve body atthe same side thereof having-the .ports I51, I58.- This side of the valve body is also provided with arcuate shaped port I99 in valve I8I and which port, after the top sheet has been separated, lifted and winded, passes over the ports I91, I98 through rotation of said valve (Fig. 13). At this time the sheet forwarding devices I80 have swung rearwardly by the described means for this purpose. Vacuum is then established in the chambers N9 of cylinders II8 through the ports I91, I98, I99 and the described connections been, i

for the ports I91 and I98 with said chambers and the suction side or part of pump 55. The vacuum thus created, in the chambers N9 of the cylinders' 6' acts through the lower ports .'I2I' vices acts through the upper ports I and the tubes or pistons I22? causing the sheet to adhere Due to the unequal effect of thevacuum on opposite sides of the piston heads I24 and because of the relatively large, diameter of the tubes I 22" the vacuum in the cylinders II6' new acts on the upper; sides of the piston heads I24 and lifts said heads-the tubes I22, the cups I23 and the metal or other sheet engaged by vacuum with said cups.

About this time, the sheet forwarding devices I80, are swung forward by the described means for this purpose and carry the sheet adhering to the -suction cups I23 forwardly to conveying means that will be hereinafter described. As before pointed out, the sheet forwarding devices I80 engage the uppermost sheet after it has been separated and wi'nded by the described means for this purpose. Accordingly, vacuum at about this time is broken in the sheet separating devices I02 by opening the connections therefor with the vacuum conduit 69 to atmosphere. This is pref- .erably effected in the following manner.- The port I 80 of valve I8I after passing over ports I51, I58 to create vacuum'in the sheet separating devices I02, passes over -.a port 200 (Fig. 16) that is formed in the valve body I3I 'and opens outwardly therefrom to atmosphere. the leading end of the port I80 reaches port 200 the opposite end of port I80 is passing over port I51 (Fig. 14) Under these conditions the sheet separating devices I02 and all the described conduits connecting them with the vacuum conduit 89 are open to atmosphere, thus breaking vacuum in said sheet separating devices. Obviously, continued rotation of thevalve I6! closes said conduits and devices to atmosphere so that the, latter can be again operated by vacuum, as described. during the next cycle of operation of the feeder.

At the time Likewise when the sheet forwarding devices I99 have swung forward and carried the top sheet to the above mentioned conveying means, vacuum is broken in said devices to release the sheet for further forwardingo'f-the same by said means. This is preferably accomplished in the following manner. Valve I 9| is provided therein adjacent the port I99 with an openended port 29I. During rotation of valve I9I the port MI is in constant communication with an annular port 29I' formed in valve body .I3I (Fig. 16). After vacuum has been created in the sheet forwarding devices I99, as described, and while .port I99 is passing overport I91, the leading end of port I99 also passes over a port 292 (Figs. 10 and 16) formed in the valve body I 3i and communicating with the annular port 29I'. Port 29I communicates with a port.299 that is formed in the hub of driving disc I99 and port 293 communicates with a chamber 294 (Figs. 9, 20 and 21) formed in the disc I99 and open to atmosphere through a port port 295. After the port I99 has passed over the 299 formed in the outer wall. thereof. It is therefore obvious, that when the port I99 is in register with the ports I91 and 292 the sheet forwarding devices I99 will be open to atmosphere through conduits I93 and I99, the ports I91, I99, 292, 29I', 29I, 293, the chamber 294, and the port I91 the connections therewith for the sheet forwarding devices I99 will be closed to atmosphere so that vacuum may again be established in the sheet forwarding devices as previously described, during the next cycle of operation of the feeder.

a If for any reason, it is desired to temporarily Normally, these ports small disc valves 299 (Figs; 2 and 4) mounted on arms 299 disposed at opposite sides of the valve body I9I and fixed on a rock shaft 2I9. This rockshaft 2"! extends transversely of the machine and is journaled in'suitable bearings provided on the front uprights 9 and in a lug 2 (Figs; 2, 16 and 17) formed on the valve body Iii.

The rock shaft 2I9 has fixed on .the ends thereof .handles 2I2 and by turning either of these in one direction the shaft 2I9, arms 299, and disc valves 299 may be swung to uncover 'the ports 299, 291 thus opening the sheet separating devices I92, the sheet forwarding devices I99 and the sheet winding devices I22 and I19 to atmosphere and preventing operation of said devices. Obviously when the rock shaft 2I9 is swung in the opposite direction by either of the handles 2I2, the disc valves 299 will cover the ports 299, 291 sothat the sheet separating, forwarding and winding devices, may be operated as previously described.

After the uppermost sheethas been separated and forwarded from the pile, it 'is' received by conveying means for carrying said sheet into the machine or instrumentality with which the feeder is associated. -As herein shown, this conveying means is preferably operated and constructed as follows. A lifted and forwarded sheet is delivered by the sheet forwarding devices I99 between feed and drop rollers 2I 9 and 2| 4 respectively (Figs.

'2, 4 and 5). The feed rollers 2I9 are fixed in the ends of said shaft and bolted or otherwise suitably'secure'd to the upper cross member 9. The shaft 2I5, the feed rollers fixed thereon, and conveyor tapes 2I9 passing around said rollers are driven from the continuously rotated cam shaft 29 as follows. This cam shaft has fixed thereon a large gear 2I9 (Figs. 1 and 2) which meshes with a smaller gear 229 that is loosely mounted on the short shaft I1 and compounded or integrally formed with a larger gear 22I also loosely mounted on said shaft. The gear 22I meshes with a gear 222 that is fixed on the feed roll shaft 2I5 and which through the described driving connections therefor with the cam shaft 29 drives the feed roller shaft 2I9, the feed rollers 2I9. 2I9 and the sheet conveying tapes 2I9.

The drop rollers 2 (Figs. 2, 1 and 5) are journalled on arms 229 fixed on a rock shaft 224 which extends transversely of the machine and is journalled insuitable bearings in side plates 229 projecting forwardly of the feeder and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the front uprights 9 thereof. The rock shaft 224 has fixed thereon an arm 229 carrying a roller 221 which bears against a cam 229 secured to or formed' integrally with the valve driving disc I59 that is secured to and rotated by the cam shaft 29. The rock shaft 224 also has fixed on one end thereof a second arm 229 with which is connected one extremity of a spring 299. The opposite extremity of the spring 299 is connected withadiusting devices 29I secured in any suitable manner on one of the side plates 225.' It will thus appear that the rock shaft 224-is rocked in one direction by the spring 299 and in the opposite dlrection by the cam 229 and that this results in raising and lowering of the drop rollers 2I4, at

predetermined intervals. Operation of the drop rollers is so timed that they are raised when the sheet forwarding devices I99 deliver a sheet on to the feed rollers 2I3, 2I9. After such delivery of the sheet and breaking of vacuum in the sheet forwarding devices I99, the drop rollers are lowered to engage the sheet and assist feeding of the same forwardly from the feeder by the feed rollers 2I9, 2I9 and the conveyor tapes 2I9. The front portions of tapes 2I9 pass around other rollers (not shown) and said tapes travel over a roller 222 that extends transversely of the -feeder and .is iournalled in suitable bearings 'in the sideplates 229. The tapes 2I9 also pass over tightening rollers 299 (Fig. 1) journalled on arms 224 which are fixed on a shaft 299 extending transversely of the feeder and secured against arsaeee A direction of the arrow U shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The lever 253 is then swung to the thereof opposite that the large sprocket 53 is a small sprocket 286 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) around which passes a chain 281. This chain also passes around a sprocket 238 that is fixed on a short shaft 239 journalled in suitable bearings in one ofthe front uprights 5 and a bracket 240 bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

This short shaft239 has fixed thereon a sprocket 24! (Figs. 4 and 5) around which passes a chain 2% that also passes around a sprocket 243. The sprocket 2'43 and a part1 of a clutch indicated broadly at 245 (Fig. 2) are secured to or formed integrally with each other and loosely mounted on the worm shaft 25. This clutch 2 is of well known construction needing no detailed description herein and includes another part 246 which is fixed on the worm shaft 24. The parts of the clutch 245 may be connected or disconnected by a device 261 loosely and slidably mounted on the worm shaft 24 and provided with a collar 258 in a groove of which extends an operating fork see. 'This fork 2 29 is fixed on a shaftzfib extending 9! that is slldably as well as rotatably mounted on the worm shaft 24. The shaft 250 is provided on one end thereof with spaced collars 252 having engaged the-rebetween the upper end of a lever 253 which is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner on one of the front uprights B.

When it is desired to initially load the feeder the elevator may, for this purpose, be lowered to' the proper position by moving the lever 253 to the left (Fig. 2) and starting the motor 69 so that the armature shaft 50 thereof rotates in the direction of the arrow D shown in Fig. l of thediawings. When thelever 253 is moved as aforesaid, the slidable shaft 259 is moved to the right (Fig. 2) and thereby moves the device 2%? to the right and connects the two parts of the clutch 245. At the same time, the fork 25l and the pawl mask 91 (Figs. 2 and 26) are moved-to the. right stopped by the means for this purpose hereinbefore described.

' The pawl 26 having been disengaged from the ratchet and the parts of the clutch N5 having been connected, as described, the shaft 24 is rotated by the pump 55 counter clock-wise as .viewed in Fig. 4; thereby rotating the described connections for said shaft with the elevator chains 33 so that the latter and'the cross beams 34 and pile board 36 are lowered. As soon as these have reached the properposition for loading, the handle 253 is swung to the right (Fig. 2) thereby disconnecting the. parts of the clutch 245. moving the pawl mask 91 back to itsnormalposition, and stopping rotation of shaft 24 by the, pump. 7 The mptor 49 is then stopped and the elevator is loaded with a supply or pile of sheets in the usual manner. g The elevator and said pile or supply are. then raised to proper position for feeding of the sheets successively from the top of said pile or supply. This is accomplished bystarting the motor 49 'so that the armature shaft thereof rotates inthe left (Fig. 2) to connect the parts of the clutch 245 and shift the mask 9'3, as before described.

raised until the top of the pile reaches the proper. I

level for feeding of the sheets one therefrom. a w

At this time the lever 253 is again swung to the right (Fig. 2) thus disconnecting the parts of the clutch 245 and moving the pawl mask 81 back again to its normal position. The motor 49 is then stopped and the worm shaft 28 now beingdisconnected from thepump shaft 543, feeding of the sheets from the top of the pile one after another may now be accomplished automatically as previously described or by hand, as desired. In either case, the motor 39 is now started so that the armature shaft EB is rotated in the direction of the arrow D (Fig. 4). When the supply of sheets has been exhausted, the feeder may be reloaded by lowering and raising the elevator as described and through the medium of the mechanism for this purpose driven from the pump shaft M.

The operation of the feeder will be clearly understood from the foregoing description thereof and may be briefly summarized as follows. The elevator having been loaded and the pile of sheets having been moved upwardly to proper position by the described means for this purpose, automatic feeding of the sheets one after another from the top of the pile may be accomplished'by after another driving the jack shaft l8 and parts connected therewith and rotating the pump shaft E4 through operation of the armature shaft 50 of the motor 49 in the direction of the arrow D (Fig. 4) Air under pressure supplied from the pump 55 to the blow pipes 9381s delivered through the nozzles E32 against the rear upper corner portions of thepile of sheets I? so that saidportions 'arefl winded or partially separated.- The sheet separators see, through the described connectionstherefor with the pump 65 then act, as before described, to engage and liftthe uppermost sheet at the rear thereof. Due to inclination of these.

sheet separating devices toward each other as described and illustrated, the rear corner portions of the sheet are bent inwardly toward each other as well as forwardly thus peellng" the major portion of the top sheet from the one 'therebelow and insuring that the separators will not pick up more than one sheet at a time. This lnward'and forward bending of the rear corner portions of the sheet stifi'ens the sheet as before described so that when the-sheet is winded by pipes "0 it will be completely lifted and its front edge will not buckle or sag. Also inclination of the, sheet separating devices forwardly as described and illustrated causes them to exert a forward pushlngaction on the sheet thus insuring that the sheet will not be displaced rearwardly and mar or scratch'the next sheet therebelow. V After the sheet has been stiffened, as described, it is-winded by compressed air supplied by the described means for this purpose through the blow pipes I'Ili and delivered thereby between said sheet and the sheet therebelow; This completely lifts and separates the sheet from the one below and the separated, lifted and winded uppermost sheet is then engaged near engaged, lifted and the front thereof by the sheet forwarding devices I80 that have been swung rearwardly by the described means for this purpose. These devices lift the sheet at the front thereof and swin forwardly, thus carrying the sheet between the driven feed rollers 2l2, 2| 8, and the drop rollers 2 which at this time are raised. The sheet forwarding devices then release the sheet whereupon the drop rollers are lowered thereon and the feed rollers and the tapes 2 l8 carry the separated and forwarded sheet on to the machine or instrumentality with which the feeder is associated. These operations are repeated in the order named, once during each cycle of operation of the feeder, so that the sheets are fed automatically in succession from the top of the pile to said machine or instrumentality.

When it is desired to feed the sheets one after another by hand from the top of the pile, instead of automatically therefrom as'above described, the frame 38 and parts carried thereby are swung up to the inoperative positions thereof shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings and there locked by the pin 85. The sheet forwarding devices are also swung up to the inoperative positions thereof 'shown in Fig. 5 in which case the spring I88 is disconnected-from the arm I85 and the set screw I88 is loosened to facilitate free rotation of the rock shaft l8l and movement of the sheet forwarding devices to said positions.

The sheets may then be fed by hand one after another between the feed and drop rollers, and to insure such feeding at the proper time front gages 258 (Fig. 2) located between the feed rollers 2| 8 are employed to register or square up the hand fed sheets. These front gages are. in accordance with the present invention, operated by the drop rollers when sheets are being hand fed from the top of the pile i2. Accordingly, the front gages 258, which are provided on the lower ends thereof with rollers 25'! bearing against the upper cross member 8, are preferably connected with and operated by the drop rollers as follows. Extending transversely of the feeder and Journalled in suitable bearings on the upper cross member 8 is a rock shaft 258. This rock shaft has fixed thereonarms 258 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) that are pivotally connected, as at 288 with the vertically movable front gages 258.. The rock shaft 258 also has mounted thereon an arm 28l which,during automatic feeding of the sheets is disconnected from -said shaft by loosening a screw 282 threaded on said am for engagement with the shaft 258. when this screw 282 is loosened, as stated, no motion is imparted to the front gages I 258 and they remain in downwardly inoperative positions so that automatic feeding of the sheets may proceed without interruption. When, however, the sheets are hand fed from the top of the pile l2, the screw 282 is tightened and engagesthe rock shaft 258 so that the arm "I is fixed on gages 258 are lowered by rocking of shaft 258 in A the opposite direction and the sheet is fed forwardly by said rollers and the tapes 2l8. when the drop rollers are again raised, the gages 258 will also be raised so that the next sheet can be hand fed against the gages to register and square it up. The drop rollers and gages are again lowered and these operations are repeated so long as it is desired to hand feed sheets from the top of the pile. v I

While the sheets are being hand fed from the top-of the pile l2 the elevator is raised automatically by the described means for this purpose in order to maintain the top of the pile at the required or predetermined level- It will be recalled that when hand feeding from the pile of sheets l2 the frame 88 and parts carried thereby are swung up to the positions thereof shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Under these conditions the operator may actuate the valve 82 by hand and thus control the operation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism 28, 28 so that the elevator will be operated to lift the pile and bring the top thereof to the proper or convenient position for hand feeding of the sheets off the top thereof.

The valve 82 and its housing 18 may, however. when hand feeding, be removed from the frame 88 and placed in the dotted line positions of said valve and housing shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings in which case the ball 84 will engage the top of the pile. As each sheet is hand fed and lifted forwardly between the feed and drop rollers, the valve 82 will be lifted and when the sheet has been fed off, the valve will lower by gravity. It will thus appear that raising and lowering of the valve in this manner will efiect control of the pawl and ratchet mechanism 25, 28 (Fig. 26) as in the case. of automatic feeding of the sheets from the top of the pile and that the elevator and the pile will be lifted automatically at intervals to maintain the top of the pile at the proper position for hand feeding of the sheets from the a top thereof. In order to remove the valve 82 and its housing 14 from the frame 88, one of. the clamps I1 is loosened by the screw 18 and operating handle 88 therefor (Fig. 28). Upon removal of the valve 82 and housing 56 the tenon 8i said shaft. The arm m has pivotally connected therewith one end of a link 282 the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with the arm 228. It will be recalled that thearm 288 is rocked by the cam 228 and the spring 288, as previouslydescribed. Under these conditions and with the I aim 28i fixed on the rock shaft 258 by'the set screw 252, said shaft and the arms 258 will be rocked in one direction thus moving the gages 258 upwardly above the feed rollers 2, M8 and the tapes 2 l8 when the drop rollers 2" are raised. At this time the operator hand feeds the sheet against said gages to register and square the sheet up, whereupon the drop rollers 2 l4 and the of the latter is fitted in a guide 28 (Fig. 5) that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the rear of the valve body l8i. The tenon BB is provided with-an opening 285 (Fig. 26) and a machine screw 288 (Fig. 5) is placed in said opening and threaded into a corresponding opening in the I guide 284.. Upon tightening of the screw 286 the valve 82 and its'housing 18 will be secured to the guide and held in position for proper operation by hand feeding of the sheets as before described.

When itis desired to feed the sheets automatically from the top of the pile, the valve 82 and its housing ll are again secured on the frame 88. This frame and parts carried thereby including the sheet winding devices and the sheet separating devices are then swung down to the positions thereof shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The

sheet forwarding devices are also swung down to their operative positions shown in Fig. 1. Thereupon, automatic feeding of the sheets from the top of the pile can be accomplished as before described.

During repeated cycles of operation of the feeder to automatically feed sheets from the top of the pile l2, or when hand feeding sheets from the top thereof, the pile is elevated step by step I by the described means for this purpose, in order to keep the top of the pile at the described or regreases quired height. The control means for the pile elevating mechanism may include, as before described; the valve 82 (Fig. 26), the air operated plungerin housing 88, and the compressed air delivery connections for housings 88 with the valve housing 18 and between the latter and the' reduced portion 218. This reduced portion 218 is provided on the bottom thereof with a lug 21i which, when the plunger 261 is in its lowermost inoperative position in the housing 288. engages.

the V-shaped interior bottom portion 212 of the housing and holds the plunger slightly there above to prevent it from becoming "air-bound. The flexible conduit 81 connected with the valve housing 14 is. in this case, connected with the plunger housing 288 at the bottom thereof and delivery of compressed air through-the conduit 81 into the housing 288 and under the plunger 281 is controlled by the valve 82.

In the construction shown in Fig. 29 a pawl 218 is provided and this pawl is pivoted as at 212 on the bracket 288 above the plunger 281. When the top of the pile of sheets i2 is at the proper height, no compressed air will be delivered in the housing 268 and the pawl 218 will be held in the dotted line position thereof, shown in Fig. 29 by a counterweight 218 that is secured in any suitable manner onsaid pawl. In this event, the nose 218 of pawl 218 will be held up above the path of travel of the shoulder 88 of mask 81 so that the latter and the carrier 28 for pawl 2 will oscillate idly as previously described. When the top of the pile i2 and valve 82 lower sumciently so that said valve admits compressed ain in the conduit 81 and .thehou'sing 288. said air will raise the plunger 281 and swing the pawl 218 to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 29. The nose 218 of the pawl then engages the shoulder of mask 81 to stop rotation of. the same and enable the ratchet or shaft 28 to be actuated, as previously described; to riase the elevatorand the pile of sheets. v

When the top of the pile has reached the proper height the valve 82 will cut off the supply of compressed air to conduit 81 and housing 288 whereupon the plunger 281 will drop by gravity "in the housing and the pawl 218 will be swung to its dottedline inoperative position by the coun-.

terweig'ht 215. The carrier 28, the pawl 28 thereon,.and the mask 91 will then oscillate idly until it is again necessary to elevate the pile i2, whereupon the above described operation of the pawl and ratchet control means is repeated so that shaft 28 may be actuated to raise the elevator.

Instead of employing control means and pawl and ratchet mechanism such as shown inFig. 29, control means and pawl and ratchet mechanism such as illustrated in Fig. 30 may be utilized. Inthis case, the flexible conduit 81 connected with the housing 14 for valve 82 is connected with a housing 211 at the bottomther eof. -This housing 211 is provided with an extension 218 that is secured in any suitable manner on a shaft 218. The shaft 218 extends trnasversely of the feeder and is secured in any suitable manner'to the frame thereof. Mounted in the housing 211 and projecting upwardiy'therethrough is a plunger 288 provided on the bottom thereof with a reduced portion 28l which normally engages the V-shaped bottom of the housing when no compressed air is being supplied therein through the conduit 81;

Extending over, and engaged with, the upper end of plunger 288 is a plate 282 provided with a pin 282 that is guided in a suitable opening in the top of the housing 211. Said plate 282 has connected therewith the upper end of a rod 283 the lower endof which is pivotally connected with a pawl 284 which is pivoted, as at 285, on

a. stationary part of the feeder. The nose of pawl 288 normally stands in line with a lug 288 formed on a pawl carrier 281 that is loosely mounted on the worm' shaft 22 adjacent the ratchet 28 fixed thereon. The carrier 281 has mounted thereon a spring pressed pawl 288 for engaging the ratchet 28 and is pivotally connected with one end of a link 289 the opposite end of which is pivotaliy connected with an arm 288. This arm 288 is 'pivotally mounted on a stationary part of the feeder and provided with a roller 29! adapted to be engagedby a cam 292.

Cam282 is fixed on a suitable driven shaft 283 of the feeder and the arm 288 has connected therewith a spring pressed rod 286 that normally tends to maintain roller 28! in engagement with said cam. When the top of the pile of sheets is at the proper height, however, and no compressed alr is supplied in housing 211 through conduit 81, the nose of pawl 288 is disposed in line with lug 288 and preventsthe spring pressed rod ,298 from swinging arm 288 and carrier 281 a suilicient distance to enable the ratchet 28 and shaft 22 to be actuated by pawl 288.

As the sheets are fed off the top of the pile, and it becomes necessary to lift it, the valve 82 admits compressed air inconduit 81 and housing 211 thus raising plunger 280, plate 282, rod 288 and pawl 288. The cam. 282 and the spring pressed rod 282 now actuate carrier 281 and pawl 288 so that ratchet 28 and shaft 28 are rotated and the elevator and pile of sheets thereon is raised. When the top of the pile is at the proper height valve 82 cuts ofi compressed air in conthe top of the pile again is below the predetermined height, the pawl and ratchet mechanism and control means therefor shown in Fig. 30 is again actuated. as described. to riase the pile. These operations are repeated from time to time as described, so that the 'top of the pile of sheets I2 is always maintained at proper height.

The method and mechanical embodiments of the present invention, while having great utility in the matter of separating and forward ng rela-' tively heavy sheets such as metal, cardboard and 'the'like from a pile or supply, are also adapted larity; said'invention is not limited to such description or illustration or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a sheet feeder, vacuum sheet forwarders, a driven shaft, connections between the driven shaft and the forwarders for reciprocating the same, and rotary valve means mounted on and operated by said driven shaft for making and breaking vacuum in said forwarders at predetermined intervals.

- 2. In a sheet feeder, vacuum sheet feeding means, a driven shaft, valve mechanism mounted on and operated by the driven shaft for making and breaking vacuum in the sheet feeding means at predetermined intervals, feed rollers, and drop rollers cooperating with the feed rollers and operated by a driven part of said valve mechanism. 3. In. a sheet feeder, vacuum sheet separators, pivotally mounted vacuum sheet forwarders, devices for winding upper rear comer portions of the pile and each sheet separated therefrom, a driven shaft and connections between the same and the pivoted forwarders for oscillating the latter, and rotary valve means mounted on and driven by said shaft and controlling said separators and forwarders and said winding devices.

4,. In a sheet feeder, sheet engaging means ad- Jacent the front thereof, rear'cylinders inclined upwardly and inwardly toward each other and toward said sheet engaging means, vacuum sheet separators in said cylinders and likewise inclined, front cylinders, and vacuum sheet forwarders in said front cylinders.

5.;In a sheet feeder sheet engaging means adjacent the front thereof, rear cylinders inclined upwardly and inwardly toward each other and toward said sheet engaging means, vacuum sheet separators in said cylinders and likewise inclined, pivoted front cylinders, vacuum sheet forwarders in the pivoted front cylinders, and means for oscillating said front cylinders and forwarders.

6. In a sheet feeder, stationary cylinders, vacuum sheet separators therein vacuum and spring reciprocated to engage and lift the sheets, pivoted cylinders, vacuum sheet forwarders therein vacuum and spring reciprocated to ,also engage and lift said sheets, and means for oscillating said pivoted cylinders and forwarders to advance the lifted sheets.

'7. In a sheet feeder, bell cranks arrangedto swing transversely of the feeder and each having one arm inclined laterally with respect to the other arm, and vacuum, sheet lifting devices mounted for vertical adjustment on said inclined arms and adapted for angular adjustment relative to each other by swinging said bell cranks.

8. The method of separating and forwarding a metal, cardboard or similar still. sheet, from a pile or supply, which comprises engaging the sheet by suction and lifting the sheet at the rear corner portions thereof, stiffening the sheet from the rear forwardly by bending said rear corner portions of said sheet upwardly and inwardly thereof upwardly and inwardly towa1 each other and forwardly at a predetermined angle while the sheet is being lifted and temporarily while the sheet is being lifted and temporarily held as aforesaid, .directing air under pressure between the lifted and stiffened sheet and the one below it, and lifting the stiffened and winded sheet at the front and forwarding it from said pile or supply.

11. In a sheet feeder, means for automatically elevating .a pile of sheets when automatically or hand feeding them from the top of the pile, devices for automatically feeding the sheets from the top of the pile and movable to'inoperative positions enabling the sheets to be hand fed therefrom, and'means for'automatically control ling .the operation of said pile, elevating means when automatically feeding the sheets from the pile or when hand feeding them therefrom.

12. In a sheet feeder, means for automatically elevating a pile of sheets when automatically or hand feeding them from the top of the pile, devices for automatically feeding the sheets from the top of the pile and movable to inoperative positions to enable the sheets to be hand fed therefrom, and mea for automatically controlling the operwfl on of said elevating means when automatgea 1y feeding the sheets from a pile and for manually controlling the operation of said elevating means when hand feeding the sheets from the pile.

13. In a sheet feeder, means for automatically elevating a pile of sheets when automatically or hand feeding them from the top of the pile, devices for automatically feeding the sheets from the top of the pile and movable to inoperative po sitions enabling the sheetsto be hand fed therefrom, and shiftable sheet controlled means acting in one position to control the pile elevating means when automatically feeding sheets from the pile and acting in another position to automatically control said pile elevating means when hand feeding sheets from the top of the pile.

14. In a sheet feeder, means for automatically elevating a pile of sheets when automatically or hand feeding them from the top of the pile, devices for automatically separating and forwarding the sheets from the top of the pile and mov able to inoperative position enabling the sheets to be hand fed therefrom, and means controlling a the pile elevating means during operation of said devices and movable with the latter to their inoperative positions, said last named means when.

in its inoperative position with said devices being adapted for manual operation to automatically control the pile elevating means.

15. In a sheet feeder for hand or automatic feeding, a driven feed roller, a drop roller, mechanism for operating the drop roller, stop means adjacent the feed roller, and means for connecting the stop means with the. drop roller operating mechanism for actuation thereby when hand feeding and for disconnecting the stop means 

